The study investigated the nature of the
portrayal of aged characters in children's novels which
won Children's Book Council of Australia's awards in
the period from 1946 to 1985. By means of content
analysis, the demographic, personal and behavioural
characteristics of aged characters were identified on a
thirty-four item checklist. From these characteristics
a portrayal score was derived to represent the extent
of variation in the depiction of aged characters in the
novels examined.
Analysis of variance tests indicated that the
level of variation in portrayal scores was
significantly related to the position of importance of
aged characters in novels. The portrayal of aged
characters did not vary according either to the
approach to story adopted in Australian award-winning
novels, or to the period in which the award was
granted.
It seems that although aged characters taken as
a whole in the novels studied display the variety of
characteristics attributed to aged people in the
literature of gerontology, individually many of these
aged characters are depicted in a somewhat limited way.
There is evidence to suggest that aged characters in
Australian award-winning children's novels do not
adequately reflect the demographic characteristics of
aged people in the Australian population. In terms of
range of social settings in which they are depicted is
restricted. So too, is the range of behaviours in which
they engage.
This rather limited depiction of aged
characters means that readers of Australian award-winning
children's novels are presented with a
restricted and unrealistic view of the aged and of the
condition of being aged. If children's novels serve as
one of the socialisation agents for young people, then
the limited portrayal of aged characters presented in
those novels may be a cause for concern, especially as
there are few indications that the depiction of aged
characters generally in more recent award-winning
novels has become more varied and realistic.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/218644 |
| Date | January 1988 |
| Creators | Kirk, Joyce, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Library & Information Studies |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Joyce Kirk |
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